Star Wars Battlefront II Temporarily Disables Microtransactions

The controversy rages on when it comes to Star Wars Battlefront II and it's microtransactions and it's a fire that EA and DICE are struggling to put out.

After word got out that it would take dozens of hours of in-game grind to acquire the credits to unlock heroes like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, DICE immediately reduced their prices. Further complicating matters was widespread uncertainty as to whether or not in-game rewards would receive a proportionate adjustment, thus negating the discount.

Now, following continued backlash, EA and DICE have made the decision to disable microtransactions -- but only temporarily, and just a few hours before launch, when the controversy is guaranteed to go ablaze. "We hear you loud and clear," EA said. "So we're turning off all in-game purchases."

"We will now spend more time listening, adjusting, balancing and tuning. This means that the option to purchase crystals in the game is now offline, and all progression will be earned through gameplay. The ability to purchase crystals in-game will become available at a later date, only after we've made changes to the game."

This is a positive turn of events, but concerns remain, especially when EA and DICE are confidently declaring that microtransactions will return "at a later date." Even without real money entering the equation, not everyone appreciates Battlefront II's progression system and how perilously close it skirts to pay-to-win mechanics.

It's worth noting that the disabling of microtransactions comes just a day after an investigation was launched into loot crate systems and their implications by the Belgian Gaming Commission. While the BGC is just one regulatory committee, their findings could set a precedent for other regulatory bodies in other countries.

"We have created a game that is built on your input, and it will continue to evolve and grow," said EA and DICE. "Star Wars Battlefront II is three times the size of the previous game, bringing to life a brand new Star Wars story, space battles, epic new multiplayer experiences across all three Star Wars eras, with more free content to come. We want you to enjoy it, so please keep your thoughts coming. And we will keep you updated on our progress."